WHO approves world's first malaria vaccine RTS, S/AS01:

• The World Health Organization recommended that the world's first malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01 (RTS, S), be widely used among children, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions with moderate to high malaria transmission.
• The RTS,S vaccine has been approved because it reduces malaria and life-threatening severe cases significantly. So far, over 800,000 children have received the vaccine and are benefiting from the extra protection against the disease.
• The RTS,S malaria vaccine has been approved to reduce child illness and mortality in areas where P. falciparum malaria transmission is moderate to high.

Important Facts

About WHO

• WHO works all over the world to promote health, keep the world safe, and help the most vulnerable people.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded: 7 April 1948
• Director-General: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus